NBA Makes Major Luka Doncic Announcement as MVP Talks Escalate

Nov 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed an electric start to the season, jumping out to a 15-5 record and claiming the second seed in the Western Conference.

No member of the team has done more for the Lakers than five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, who is making a serious case to be considered for the league's MVP award.

More news: Lakers' Rui Hachimura Gets Honest About Playing Against Ex-LA Teammate Anthony Davis

Donic has been averaging 35.1 points per game — the most in the league — while adding 9.2 assists (fourth in the NBA) and 8.7 rebounds (19th) per game. As of Dec. 1, Doncic sits behind just Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver's Nikola Jokic with the third-shortest odds for the MVP award according to FanDuel.

While Doncic's most recent award pales in comparison to the Most Valuable Player award, the 26-year-old was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for his dominant three-game stretch.

More news: Lakers Get Bad News on All-Star Potential Trade Target

Over the Lakers' past three games — which they won by an average of 13 points — Doncic has averaged 37.3 points, 10.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds. The former Dallas Maverick, who is in his first full season in Los Angeles, earned high praise from his head coach JJ Redick, who called him "one of the greatest offensive engines to ever play basketball."

Luka Doncic was named the Western Conference Player of the Week. He averaged 37.3 points, 10.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds and the Lakers went 3-0.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 1, 2025

Doncic has put together his best season as a pro despite attracting unique attention from opposing teams.

“The gravity that he has on the court, it’s impossible to guard him any certain way because [of] his ability to pass the ball, his unselfishness and his shot-making ability,” Reaves told Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times after the Lakers' 133-121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. “Then, once you blitz him, then you have advantage basketball and we like our chances.”

Can Lakers Climb Even Higher?

Despite Doncic and the Lakers playing like one of the best offensive teams in the league, Reaves thinks they have yet to reach their ceiling. With a tough upcoming schedule, with road games against the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, the Lakers offense will need to continue it's hot start.

"We like our chances," Reaves said. "I thought we got a lot of really good looks that we didn’t make tonight. We still scored 130. I still think this offense can go to another level.”

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.